CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
CAT 2026 exam
29 Nov '26
Check here CAT exam total marks and number of questions. Also know the marking scheme and sectional weightage of CAT 2026 so that you know how much preparation is required for which section.
CAT total marks and number of questions
CAT is an exam of 68 questions only but the challenge is managing a good number of attempts out of them to get a good score. There is sectional time limit in the exam to help candidates manage each section, however, it often poses challenge in solving enough number of questions accurately to get a good score. Total marks in CAT is 204 and it is essential to aim about 125 marks to get 99.99 percentile. As you start your CAT 2026 preparation journey, make a strategy keeping in mind CAT total marks and your target percentile score.
- CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions
- CAT Marking Scheme 2026
- CAT Section Wise Number of Attempts
- CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Over the Years
CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions
There is no change in the test pattern of the CAT exam from previous year. Given below is the table indicating CAT total marks and number of questions for 2026 examination.
| CAT Sections |
CAT Total Question |
Marks Per Question |
Total Marks of CAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
3 |
72 |
| DILR |
22 |
3 |
66 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
3 |
66 |
| CAT Total Marks |
68 |
- |
205 |
Also read:
CAT Marking Scheme 2026
CAT marking scheme is designed in a way that the candidate is judged neither too leniently nor too strictly. There is negative marking for incorrect attempts, at the same time, there is relief from it too. Check below CAT marking scheme.
- CAT exam total marks is 204
- Every question will carry 3 marks
- There will be negative marking of -1 for incorrect attempts
- There will be no negative marking for non-MCQ questions
- Negative marking does not apply to non-MCQs and unanswered questions
CAT Section Wise Number of Attempts
CAT 2026 will have 68 questions but it will not be mandatory to attempt all the questions. Candidates must however, make sure to attempt a good number of questions per section to get a good CAT score and percentile. During the CAT 2026 preparation, candidates should attempt mock tests keeping in mind the same. Given below is the estimated number of good attempts for CAT 2026:
| CAT Section |
Number of Questions in CAT |
Number of Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| VARC |
24 |
18 |
| DILR |
22 |
15 |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
22 |
16 |
| Total |
68 |
47 |
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CAT Total Marks and Number of Questions Over the Years
Marking scheme of CAT exam has not changed in the last decade, but CAT total marks and number of questions have been revised multiple times. Check below CAT exam total marks and number of questions over the years:
| CAT Year |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |
68 |
204 |
| 2024 |
68 |
204 |
| 2023 |
66 |
198 |
| 2022 |
66 |
198 |
| 2021 |
66 |
198 |
| 2020 |
76 |
228 |
| 2019 |
100 |
300 |
| 2018 |
100 |
300 |
| 2017 |
100 |
300 |
| 2016 |
100 |
300 |
| 2015 |
100 |
300 |
| 2014 |
100 |
300 |
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 days ago
To get a seat at Bennett University for the MBA/PGDM programme, students have to first attempt the CAT entrance examination, attain the qualifying percentile, and then proceed to the 2nd round of admissions, which may involve GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview).
Based on old data, Gene
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, students can get admission in Netaji Subhas University MBA without CAT. The university also accepts scores of other national-level management exams, such as MAT/ XAT, etc. Hence, CAT is not mandatory for NSU MBA admission.
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham accepts the CAT, MAT or the XAT exam for admission to the MBA course. Students can attempt any one of the aforementioned exams. After taking part in the exam, students have to attain a valid percentile.
Based on previous year trends, a percentile of at least 40 would be nee
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham CAT Cutoff 2026 was only available to students who had attempted the exam and could log in with their registered login ID and password. But, based on the previous years' trends, a CAT percentile of at least 40 would be required to proceed to the next round of admission.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Empire College of Science MBA admissions are merit-based and generally do not require any entrance exams. Hence, having CAT score will not make much of a difference on admission chances. However, students may check with the college to know more.
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Aspirants does accept CAT score for admission in MBA programme of United Group of Institutions, Greater Noida. Candidates have to participate in UPTAC Counselling for admission based on CAT scores. Direct admission is also granted by the institute.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
Dronacharya Group of Institutions considers CAT score for admission in MBA. However, CAT is not compulsory for taking admission in MBA. The college accepts entrance exam score of CAT/MAT/CMAT for admission in MBA at Dronacharya Group of Institutions.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory for Shri Ram Murti Smarak International Business School admissions. For its MBA programme, the institute also accepts other exams. These are CMAT/ MAT/ XAT/ ATMA. Direct admissions are also offered.
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The CAT applications are open from the month of August. Application deadline is usually around October/November. Students are advised to submit their applications before the deadline. The exam is conducted in November. It should be noted that dates mentioned are in general and tentative, they may va
B
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
No, CAT is not a mandatory entrance exam for IEM Kolkata MBA admission. Candidates who wish to apply for MBA courses have the option to appear for MAT or XAT in order to qualify for admissions as well. Candidates must note that appearing for one of these exams is mandatory in order to qualify for IE
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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